BREASTFEEDING VS FORMULA FEEDING

To all new parents, we recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding till two years of age. But what are the properties that make breast milk different from formula milk? Breast milk has the most easily digestible and bioavailable type of protein called whey protein, which is different from the casein in formula milk, making it a little difficult to digest. Breast milk contains predominant lactose, while the combination of sucrose and lactose makes formula milk a cause of subsequent obesity.  Breast milk contains DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), the new buzzword in nutrition, which is an essential part of the retina and brain and is associated with much better development of intelligence or cognition in the child. 

Benefits of breast milk

Breast milk tends to provide a better IQ when compared to formula milk. Breastfed babies are more intelligent and less vulnerable to developing conditions like skin allergy or atopic dermatitis, asthma, and gastrointestinal disorders like Crohn's disease. The storing pattern is also much easier in breast milk than in formula milk. Formula-fed babies are more prone to constipation. Some studies show the risk of childhood cancers like acute blood leukemia and Hodgkin's. The risk of developing lymphoma or cancer is also lesser in breast milk-fed babies. 

With all these advantages to the child, mother, and the community, what other reason do we need to choose breastfeeding?

Who should not breastfeed?

Remember that there are some unique situations where there may be a requirement for formula feeding, e.g. some maternal disease conditions render the mother incapable of continuing exclusive breastfeeding. 

These may include severe conditions like malignancies or cancers where we may have to take chemotherapeutic drugs, which may be associated with potential side effects to the breastfeeding baby. 

Other conditions where formula feeding may be required are as follows:

• Where babies may not be able to tolerate breast milk, e.g. some genetic errors of metabolism.

• Some conditions, such as galactosemia, where the sugars in the breast milk may become toxic to the baby. We resort to special formula milk powders without proteins and sugars.  

• Except for these rare conditions, breast milk remains the best foundation for a baby's long-term future.

Risks of not breastfeeding to mother

Breastfeeding can be difficult in the beginning and needs patience. However, failure in breastfeeding could result in mothers having various health problems, which include: 

• Metabolic syndrome

• Premenopausal breast cancer

• Ovarian cancer

• Type 2 diabetes

• Myocardial infarction

• Gestational weight gain

The health outcomes of mothers who use formula milk versus those who breastfeed vary considerably.

Formula Feeding

If we decide to use formula, the baby will receive the best substitute for breast milk. It doesn't provide the same health benefits as breast milk, but it contains all the nutrients and ingredients required for the baby to grow. 

(Note: Do not try to make our own formula milk at home or feed a cow's milk to the infant.)

We as parents choose formula milk for different reasons, including:

• It's practical. It can be provided anytime by anyone and does not need to be fed as frequently.

• It is convenient. We are not required to fit a breast pump into our schedule or learn the skill of breastfeeding. We can leave formula milk for a babysitter or daycare provider instead for timely feeding.

• Easy to schedule. Because formula milk is not digested as quickly as breast milk, formula-fed children don't get hungry every hour. 

• No food limitations for the mother. Breastfeeding mothers must be careful of what they eat and closely watch all allergic foods the infant cannot tolerate.

Health and safety issues during breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is still a good idea if we smoke. Firstly, a lactating mother shouldn't smoke and try to quit it, but if we can't, do it after breastfeeding to ensure that the baby receives the least amount of nicotine.

Healthy breast milk can help to mitigate some of the risks to infants from smoking exposure.

It is okay to breastfeed an infant if a mother has hepatitis B or C. But, if nipples are cracked or bleeding, we should quit breastfeeding for a time. 

We should also not breastfeed when we:

• Have HIV or AIDS since they can pass the virus on to their child

• Taking certain medications to treat an ongoing health problem or if we take drugs for a health condition, check with the doctor to see if we can still breastfeed.

• Have alcohol or drug addiction.

Conclusion

When considering what to choose between breast milk or formula milk, look at the big picture. Breast milk is more than just food. It serves a vital protective function by lowering the baby's risk of diseases and reducing the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). Breastfeeding does not need to be an all-or-nothing proposition. Some women are happy with exclusively breastfeeding, but it is not the only option. Some mothers breastfeed only partially, others combine breast milk and formula milk, and the rest use breast pumps. When determining how to feed the baby, knowing what's in both, the cost difference, and how it affects the health and sleep of the baby and the mother will help us make an informed decision.